KNOXVILLE — Most college football players find the going tougher by the time they reach the 13th of 15 spring practices.
Tennessee receiver Josh Smith, on the other hand, appears to be finding his groove at this late stage.
The rising third-year sophomore, who’s used the spring to work his way back into form after missing all but three games of last season due to an ankle injury, had what Volunteers coach Butch Jones called his best practice of the spring Tuesday.
“I just came out with a different mindset that, ‘OK, I’m going to get better today,'” Smith said after practice. “Me and Coach Z (receivers coach Zach Azzanni) had a really good meeting, me and him, and I felt like that had a lot to do with it. Me and him just had a heart-to-heart, and I felt like it was good.
“I’m playing not just for me. I’m playing for all the receivers and the coaches, and Coach Z is someone special to me. I’m trying to play for him and all the guys around me.”